Monthly Archives: November 2016

In Zechariah we find in chapter 3 and 6 a reference to the “Branch.” This alludes to none other than Isaiah 11:1-5, there we find that from Jesse comes David, but also from David we know that his throne was promised to be established forever, and that the Lion of Judah would sit and reign. The book has so many symbols and illustrations it would be difficult to address each one in this forum. In chapter 3, we have the High Priest Joshua in filthy clothes, this illusion could be to the corrupted priesthood before the Fall of Jerusalem. Yet we are told that Joshua was to put on new clean clothes, referring to the cleansing of sins by the LORD. Interesting enough also is that Satan is accusing before God the sins of the people. Rev. 12:20 informs us of the accuser – Satan how that night and day he brings accusations against believers. The problem is that they are true, however, God has forgiven us in Christ Jesus. Satan does this to us as well, too many times we listen to the lies of Satan and let his lies defeat us in our spirit. We must rebuke him in the name of Jesus, for our sins have been dealt with at Calvary!

Some information on the Branch helps us understand the prophecy about Jesus. “The BRANCH” is an important messianic title, signifying our Lord’s coming from the stock of David (Isa. 11:1). As Branch, He is King (Jer. 23:5; 33:15), God’s Servant (Zech. 3:8), “the Man whose name is the BRANCH” (Zech. 6:12), and “the Branch of the LORD” (Isa. 4:2). Some see in these four titles a parallel to the four Gospels. Matthew presents the Branch of David, the King; Mark, the Servant; Luke, the Man; and John, “the Branch of the Lord” who is God come in human flesh (John 20:30–31). [Warren W. Wiersbe, With the Word Bible Commentary (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1991), Zec 5:1.] I though it was interesting that the king and priest are combined in Christ. He is a priest after the Order of Melchizedek [ Hebrews 5] This is significant for Jesus is not a priest after the Order of Levi; before the Law, was Abraham. Jesus can be the High Priest without being a Levite, He is superior to Levi, therefore no conflict being from the tribe of Judah.

In chapter 4, we have the images of the lamp stand and bowls filled with oil that keep the lamp lite. Zechariah always asks, “What are these?” there is a great dualism with this book, for it applies to the restoration and building of the Temple again, but also is referencing the Reign of Jesus.

I found it quite reassuring that several times God has his emissaries watching and roaming the Earth. Truly, we know that earthly rulers will influence this world, but ultimately, God is in control. This ia a message we all need to remember in light of the Americans recent election. Zerubbabel will be the first to return to the waste land of Judah. I can’t imagine what it was like to see the Holy City laying in ashes and rubble. Scripture tells us that Zerubbabel didn’t finish the building of the Temple – that wouldn’t be completed until Ezra. I am sure it was exiting to see the labor forces coming together to measure the foundation and trying to set the stones back in place. Again I couldn’t help but think of 1 Peter 2:4-8 of how Jesus being the Chief corner-stone would be rejected by the very people He came to save.

In chapter 5 I was somewhat confused about the Ephah, a bushel of grain. Other than it represents the sins of the nation. For the woman and basket are thrown down. Wickedness is viewed as being feminine, which is why a woman was used in the illustration. We see that wickedness is confined, condemned, controlled and conquered. The Crown of God on Joshua as King-Priest is the prophetic allusion to Jesus.

In chapter 6 we have the horses and chariots, this we are told is those which have been given authority to guard the earth, specifically North and South.

Zechariah chapters 1-2. As the book opens up we find that the Word of the LORD comes to Zechariah during the reign of King Darius second year. Darius reigned some forty years after the Jerusalem fell to the Babylonians. So the exiles have been living in exile for more than half the captivity time of seventy years. Still they don’t seem to get why they are in exile. The LORD is still begging them to Return To Me, that I may return to You! Your fathers sinned grossly against Me. Repent! Judah still hasn’t repented for the idolatry and wayward rebellion that caused their exile. One has to ask the question – “What part of this don’t you get?” Similar is the way many Americans live today. We live in a very corrupt society, we have just been through a horrendous election, and we still don’t get why we are in such dire straits. My belief is the Church has compromised with the world and become “comfortable with the world, just as the world has become comfortable with us – they are comfortable because there isn’t any conviction or preaching about the ungodliness prevalent in our society. In other words, the Church has become irrelevant to the World – Matthew 5:13-16 tells us the problem. We have lost our Saltiness and Light emitting ability.

When the people of God confess/repent of their sins, God is Faithful to cleanse us. [1 John 1:9] Just as God is faithful to discipline for corruption, He is also faithful to forgive and restore. It is interesting that as the Red Horse and White horse were patrolling the earth. The Angel then comes and ask “How long will you be angry with Israel?” The answer is the hope for restoration for Israel and the Promise Land. However as God restores Judah, His wrath will be against the other pagan nations for they have made “sport” of the fact that Israel and Judah have fallen on hard times and been devastated. God will turn His wrath against those that “capitalized” on the punishment of Judah. There will be a future for Judah, we know for the people will return to the Promise Land and rebuild the Temple and repair the walls during Ezra and Nehemiah’s days.

Israel and Judah were punished for their failure to listen to the warnings given by the prophets and for their sensuous idolatry of Baal. They had become too much like the world and God had to cleanse His people. Sometimes we won’t get to the point of repentance until we are “broken” by the benevolent hand of God.

I still believe that the Church in America is still “put on notice” if you do not repent I will bring all the disasters and wrath intended for the unbelieving nations upon you. As I have stated several times this last year – “Christ not Caesar is the answer.” Only Jesus and the return of His people to holy and godly living and obedience will remedy our nation of its ills.

The vision of 4 horns – the nations that subdued Israel and Judah – I think of how the people of Israel were scattered to the 4 winds/directions of the earth during this time. [2:6]But God will and did gather His people once again; with the promise of prosperity. In 2:13, we get the picture that God has been “aroused or slumbering and has awoke to work.” God is going to do great things again with His Chosen people Israel. He has His plan and that plan includes preparing Judah, Jerusalem and the people for the coming of His Son. In 2:11 we find the promise of many nations will join themselves to the Lord – this has to be seen as the “spread of the gospel” because of Jesus Christ.

The warning of the nations rings true – if you mistreat and plunder My People – you will be destroyed. A lesson here, God will use anyone and even unbelieving nations to correct and discipline His people, but that doesn’t give them the right to abuse the power given them by God.

There could be even worse days ahead of us, especially if we continue to let the warnings go unheeded. God will not be mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth he will also reap [Gal 6:7-9] 2 Chronicles 7:14 – IF My People, the future depends on our return to the Lord and repent of our sins.

My apologies for being out of pocket for over a month. To tell you the truth I have been overwhelmed with all the election and the way in which our country has conducted itself, from all sides. Since we were looking at the 16 prophets in the Old Testament and specifically Ezekiel, I had to take a break from all the doom and gloom. I have sort of taken a respite of sorts. I did just return from a Revitalization conference in Orlando, which served to give me some much needed space from all the rhetoric.

Since the election I have found that nothing is different, however we must still dedicate ourselves to prayer and fasting for our Lost and Unredeemed world. With President-Elect Trump we must understand that while Americans have voted, God has given power for him to serve as our President. This all is not without controversy. But in the end, we as believers and children of God must serve Christ not Caesar.

I am starting back today with the blog and will be posting on Zechariah shortly.